OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Floor Speech

Date: Sept. 10, 2025
Location: Washington, DC

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Ms. ELFRETH. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

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Ms. ELFRETH. Madam Chair, House Natural Resources Committee Democrats strongly oppose Biggs amendment No. 29, which seeks to weaken the Department of Defense's work to preserve habitats crucial for military readiness and recovering vulnerable species.

The DOD covers millions of acres, spanning a vast array of natural habitats and providing that realistic backdrop for training and testing. Healthy and well-managed natural ecosystems play an essential role in maintaining the readiness of our military troops, an advantage that is unique to the U.S. military.

The military has even used ESA-listed wildlife to add complexity to training exercises, treating them as sensitive infrastructure to avoid as they would for schools or hospitals in another environment.

This amendment not only erodes this longstanding work, but it also doesn't reflect what the DOD actually needs. The DOD has not now or ever before requested this language.

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Ms. ELFRETH. Madam Chair, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer).

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Ms. ELFRETH. Madam Chair, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

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Ms. ELFRETH. Madam Chair, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Tokuda).

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Ms. ELFRETH. Madam Chair, I will close by reiterating that the Department of Defense has not now nor ever before requested this language. Over 20 of my Republican colleagues recognize this very real truth, having voted against this exact language and understanding that responsible conservation and strong national defense go hand in hand.

Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Ms. ELFRETH. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

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